On 19/08/18 08:54, harry wrote:
On Sunday, 19 August 2018 07:36:34 UTC+1, Broadback wrote:
They are being advertised on TV as saving electricity. Now we all know
that adverts are all accurate and never lie. But how exactly do they
save electric? Or do they mean that customers can use the information
given to save it?

Their ultimate real purpose is energy demand management, in the new world of renewable energy.Tariffs will be instantly adjustable depending on electricity available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_demand_management

Not quite. instantly adjustable up, long-delayed down. Just like power
supplies and petrol/diesel at present.

That is an interesting Wiki article, though. I thought the examples
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_demand_management#Examples) were
particularly informative, and a bit worrying: "The utility companies in
the state of Queensland, Australia have devices fitted onto certain
household appliances such as air conditioners or into household meters
to control water heater, pool pumps etc. These devices would allow
energy companies to remotely cycle the use of these items during peak
hours."

What is the point of having an air conditioner (or heater in cold
climates) if the electric company decides they will switch it off? It
would be bad enough not owning an air conditioner in a heatwave, but
actually having one and just sitting there watching it do nothing
because someone else is controlling it would be especially galling.

--

Jeff